Love Like This

A/N: You guys remember those horrible train jokes from Love and War? Yeah, well they're back… and even worse. :3

"So… you guys are together now?"

"Yup."

"How long have you two felt this way… about each other?"

"Years."

"…"

"Don't worry, James. We're still friends, nothing will change that!"

"You lying sacks of…" James said angrily to himself. Gordon and Henry had recently come clean to him about their relationship. They assured him that nothing would change, but it did. Their conversations got awkward. It would start out fine, everything would be normal, but eventually one of the big engines, usually Gordon, would say something lewd. Henry would only make it worse by referring to their relationship. James hated being the third wheel, he wondered if he had always been and just didn't know. Of course, he didn't mind that they were together; he was happy for them. However, he still missed the old days. The days when they would spend time in the sheds making fun of the other engines, and each other. That time when they went on strike, and when they kept Duck from entering the sheds. Sure they got in trouble for all that but they got in trouble together. James sighed, those days were gone.

He looked over at his two friends from his berth; he watched them and wondered how he missed the signs. Gordon always made fun of Henry, sometimes his teasing went a little too far, but James always thought it was just in good fun. They were usually right next to each other when they were at the sheds. James noticed the how they acted around each other. He noticed Henry's blush, the way Gordon looked at him. He still didn't understand how he hadn't figured it out sooner. He glared at the larger engines.

Gordon noticed the death glares he was getting from James. "You keep that up, and you'll face will get stuck like that." He said.

"Good," James snapped.

"What's wrong with you?"

Wasn't it obvious? Gordon could be so dense some times. "It's nothing," James looked away, "I'm fine."

"You don't seem fine."

"I'm fine, Gordon." He made his way to the turntable; he couldn't stand to be around either of them anymore.

"Where are you going?" Henry asked.

"I have work to do. I can't sit here all day and be useless like you two." Before either engine could respond, James was gone. Gordon sighed; Henry looked down sadly, even they had to admit, things were different now and they would never be like the old days.

James really didn't have any work to do, but he needed an excuse to get away. The red mixed-traffic engine continued on his way down the main line, not really paying attention to where he was going.

"If you don't pay attention, you'll end up having an accident."

James' eyes suddenly snapped up to see Edward in front of him on the adjacent track. He realized he had aimlessly rolled into Wellsworth station. "Oh… Hi, Edward," James said sadly.

Edward took notice, "What's wrong?"

He sighed, "Nothing… I'm fine."

"You're not good at lying, are you?"

James only sighed again. He never talked to Edward that much, but he was feeling kind of lonely and Edward was the only one within ear range. "Well… It's Gordon and Henry… I mean, I'm happy for them, I really am but…"

Edward smiled sadly, "You don't want to be the third wheel."

"Exactly… Everything's so different now."

"Not too much, they've always eyed each other."

"That's what everyone said… I don't know how I didn't see it."

"Look at it this way: Gordon always teased Henry, and Henry let him. People tease the ones they like sometimes." Edward looked at James, "I can see why you're upset. Henry and I use to be good friends, still are to some degree. However, once Gordon arrived on the island, the way he looked at him, I knew what was going to happen. It took a long time, but it happened. Since then, I've learned to adjust, so it doesn't bother me as much. Just give it time, James."

"It's just so awkward now…"

Speaking of awkward, the growing silence between them was starting to become just that. Edward scanned his brain as he tried to find a way to cheer James up if not take his mind off it. "Are you up for a wash down?"

"What?"

"I just got back taking some trucks from the quarry to the docks and it's left me somewhat dusty."

James thought about it. He wasn't really dirty, but he did enjoy a good wash down, "Sure Edward, why not?" He followed the older engine to a nearby washing station. As the warm water and suds hit his boiler, James began to feel more at ease.

"You know," Edward began, "I always enjoyed a good bath; you can never be too clean."

"Really? I thought I was the only one who thought that…"

"I think you overdo it just a little."

James snorted, "You have to look your best for every job. You can never be too clean."

"A bath before and after each task is a bit much, don't you think?"

"…Maybe…"

Edward only laughed. James smiled a little and soon found himself laughing as well. His plan seemed to be working; the red engine was becoming calmer by the second. Edward had to admit, he was enjoying spending time with James himself. The two weren't all that close; they had worked together in the past but not much since. He had helped the red engine adjust once he arrived to Sodor but James had come to appreciate the company of the bigger engines not long after. He seemed to fit right in with them. Edward had always wondered if James was like Henry, easily influenced. Gordon was big, pompous, and commanded respect, whether or not he actually got it. He could come off as intimidating and maybe James wanted to make peace with the big engine to avoid conflict.

"Remember when we use to pull coaches together?" Edward was removed from his thoughts. He looked up at James as he continued. "I wish we could do that again. It gets boring pulling freight all the time. I'd love to see the look on Gordon's face. He thinks only the big tender engines are capable of it, it's so… annoying."

Edward smiled, "Yes, I remember. I also remember you letting off steam on the controller and ruining his hat!" The engines laughed at the memory. "Also, who says we can't pull coaches together?" The blue engine's smile faded somewhat, "I've been busy with my branch line though…"

"I can help you! It would be better than hauling goods all the time and watching Gordon and Henry attempt to eat each other's faces…"

"Eating each other's faces… interesting way of putting it. I'll have to remember that one."

The next morning, James and Edward were waiting at the number two platform for their coaches. It had taken a lot of convincing and pleading from Edward but, he managed to talk the Fat Controller into letting James work with him and the red engine couldn't be happier. As they waited, they saw Gordon backing into the number one platform. Edward grinned, "Watch this." He said to James. He looked back at Gordon; he waited for the right moment before wolf whistling at the big engine loudly. Gordon stopped immediately upon hearing it; James tried to repress his giggles. "Yeah, back that big, blue tender up, Gordy!"

The A0 Pacific looked at Edward in shock, "Excuse me, Edward?!"

The smaller blue engine pouted, "Aw, why'd you stop moving? I was enjoying staring at your big, fat tender. It really gets my firebox going."

Gordon was flabbergasted; he didn't know what to say. He was also turning red with embarrassment mixed in with a hint of anger. What had gotten into Edward? James, on the other hand, was having a ball. He had long since stopped trying to control himself and had busted out laughing. The engines could hear a small chorus of giggles behind them; it was Percy who had heard everything. "Yeah, Gordy, we love it when you back that tender up!" he exclaimed from behind the coaches; safe from any repercussions he would have gotten otherwise. "You look good when you back that tender up!"

Edward continued, "I bet Henry loves tearing that tender up every night, yeah? You know those Black Fives; they can really turn on you!" For once, Gordon had no comeback; he still hadn't recovered from the wolf whistle he had received earlier. So instead, he huffed angrily and quickly departed from the station, leaving the cries of laughter behind him. Minutes later, Edward finally calmed down, "I remember when Thomas and I use to do that with Henry. The faces he made…"

"Speaking of Henry…" James said as Sodor's number three pulled into the number six platform for a rest. The blue engine was about to call to him but James stopped him, "Let me try this." He looked back at the green engine, "Hey, Henry! Do you let Gordon ride your Flying Kipper?"

The green engine paused, trying to figure out if he had heard what he thought he heard. He looked at James, "What did you say?"

"I mean, it's so big and long, surely you need someone strong like him to help you!"

Like Gordon, Henry was appalled; not as much as Gordon since this was coming from James, but appalled nonetheless. His cheeks turned a deep shade of red. Edward grinned and Percy howled with laughter.

"I bet he really knows how to pop your safety valve, huh Henry?" Edward jumped in.

"Edward!" Henry cried in shock. Percy was having trouble breathing he was laughing so hard.

"Are you guys knocking buffers again tonight?" Edward asked, "Mind if I join?"

James rolled his eyes sarcastically, "You should hear them; it's like an explosion!"

Henry didn't think he couldn't be any more embarrassed, or get any redder, but he somehow did.

"Does Gordon like the way you shake your tender, Henry?" James asked with a wide grin on his face.

Percy suddenly remembered a song he had once heard long ago, "Shake that tender, but watch yourself!"

"Shake that tender," James jumped in.

"Show us what you're working with!" Edward finished.

"Oh my…" he said quietly as he left Knapford. The three engines were still laughing as they watched Henry depart.

The green tank engine blinked a few tears away as he tried to calm down. "Wow, ok… hehe… I'll go get your coaches now," Percy said; a few giggles escaped from him as he went to prepare James' and Edward's train.

The two tender engines spent the rest of the day going up and down Edward's branch line talking and laughing and enjoying each other's company. Every now and then, they would tease Gordon and Henry each time they ran into each other. Edward considered it and type of poetic justice; James just thought it was funny. He didn't know how fun Edward was to be around until now. He always figured he was quiet, reserved, and somewhat dull. It was becoming obvious that there was more to him than just that, and James liked it. He liked it a lot.

As time went on, James found himself spending more time with Edward and less with Henry and Gordon, who found it quite odd. Henry thought it was a good thing, mostly because he could have more alone time with the big, blue engine but it gave James something to do, someone to spend time with.

"They sure are spending a lot of time together…" Gordon thought out loud from his berth.

Henry chuckled, "Are you jealous?"

"What? No! I just… it's just strange… I mean, Edward's so old…"

"James is older than us; you do know that, right?"

The A0 Pacific ignored the green engine, "You think he likes Edward?"

"Perhaps, perhaps not, maybe they're just friends."

Gordon snorted, "Read between the lines, Henry. There's more to it than that… I know there is."

Henry raised an eyebrow, "What are you, a love expert?"

He watched at James backed into the berth beside him, "Maybe…" The red tender engine obviously was having a good day; a content smile formed on his face as he sighed happily. Gordon chuckled lightly; he knew that expression quite well.

James heard him and raised an eyebrow, "What's so funny?"

"You having a good day, James?" he answered sarcastically.

"It was fine, I guess…"

"Do you like him?"

James frowned, "Excuse me?"

"Since you two have spent so much time together, it's only obvious."

"Do I hear a hint of jealously there, Gordon?"

The blue engine snorted, "What? No, what's there to be jealous of?"

"Maybe because you're not getting all the attention you love oh so much." He closed his eyes half way and raised his brow slightly. "But, with a tender as big as Henry's, I guess that alone could make up for my absence." James laughed slightly as the two bigger engines glared at him.

"Ha, ha," Henry said flatly.

James' tone became somewhat serious, "So what if I like him? Not saying I do, but if I did, what's it to you?"

"That look you had on your face earlier was a dead giveaway." Gordon answered.

"Oh really?" He was slightly interested now, "Please tell me more of your observations, Dr. Love."

"Well, for one thing… Edward seems really happy when he sees you."

James scoffed, "Pff, I'm red. I bring joy to everyone."

Henry smiled and Gordon rolled his eyes, "Really? It's not that hard to figure out, James. You know what I meant by that, Edward really likes you. I can tell. I've never seen him so happy, and I've known him longer than you have."

He didn't realize it, but Gordon's words made a small smile and a slight blush creep up on James' face. "Do you… do you really think so?"

Gordon grinned, "Of course, I'm the love doctor, right?"

The green Black Five laughed, "Hardly." He said quietly but Gordon heard him.

"You weren't saying that last night." The other two engines exchanged chuckles as Henry blushed and said nothing further. "So," Gordon continued, turning his attention back to the red engine. "Do you like Edward?"

James scanned the ground as he tried to find an answer. Sure, he liked Edward; he had always been a good friend, even if James hadn't always been. He liked working with him; it reminded him of the old days. He was kind and wise and funny and… James felt his cheeks heat up. The more he thought, the more and more obvious the answer was becoming. The red engine smiled softly, he had found his answer. "I…" James looked at his two friends, "I think I do."

"Then you should go tell him."

That evening, James and Edward were to pull an evening train from Tidmouth to Brendam. He decided he'd tell the blue tender engine once they reached Brendam. James was beginning to feel nervous as he pulled up next to Edward at the number two platform. Edward smiled brightly at him, "Good evening, James! Are you ready to go?"

"Uh… yeah…" he answered quietly.

Edward frowned, "Are you alright?"

The red mixed-traffic engine looked at Edward as he was pulled from his thoughts. "Me? Oh… no… I'm fine… I just." He felt himself beginning to blush again. "When we get to Brendam… I - - I have to tell you something… something important."

"Um… alright then."

James chuffed off ahead so he could position himself in front of Edward. The blue tender engine was still frowning, he was worried. Whatever James had to say, he hoped it wasn't anything serious. He noticed Thomas at the opposite platform bringing in coaches. "Isn't that Percy's job?" Edward asked.

Thomas sighed, "No one can find him. Every time I run into him, he just bolts. I don't know what's gotten into him. So, I'm going to be for station pilot for the evening!" he perked up a little, "Just like old times, huh Edward?"

"Yeah," Edward smiled a little. "Just like old times." As the blue tank engine continued on his way, Edward noticed James backing into him. He smiled cheekily, "Back that tender up, James."

James chuckled, "Do you like it?"

"Of course, your tender is just the right size."

From that moment on the two engines were silent. James was still trying to figure out how he would tell Edward how he felt. He could only hope that Gordon's observations were true. He wasn't known for being completely honest when it came to advice. James knew that oh too well. As soon as they reached Brendam, James was uncoupled and quickly rushed off. Edward frowned in confusion, what was that boy up to? He chuckled a little when he saw the red engine return facing him on the same track. He knew what he was up to but decided to play dumb. "Gotta love those movement restrictions, huh James?"

"Yeah…" James answered as he slowly approached the older engine. "Uh... Edward… I've been thinking. I didn't think - - I didn't know how fun you could be, even at your age…" James closed his eyes tightly as he mentally cursed himself for that. That's not what he wanted to say at all! "I mean…" He was fumbling with his words and becoming even more nervous as the situation became awkward. "What I mean to say is… After all the time we've spent together… You were the only one that seemed to understand me and, after thinking it over for a while… I've come to realize that I… I…" He sighed heavily and looked down. He couldn't say it. No matter how hard he tried, the words wouldn't come out.

Edward let out a low chuckle and rolled closer to James. "It's ok James," he said softly. "You don't have to say it." He looked into the red engine's eyes deeply. His face was redder than his livery. "I know what you're trying to say. And…" The blue engine brought his voice down to a whisper as he closed his eyes half way. "I like you too."

James would have gasped in shock but Edward had already had his lips against his own. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to enjoy the moment; the feel of Edward's lips, how gentle he was. Now James understood how the others felt. He understood why Henry blushed, what the looks Gordon gave Henry meant. How it felt to be with the one you loved, and he couldn't have been happier.

A/N: Well if that didn't take forever! I kind of had trouble with these two since I wasn't sure how to handle it. Thanks to Idril Lissesul for the observation on Edward and James as a couple. However, we're not done yet! We still need to tackle Ms. Emily. I may do Toby since he's part of the Steam Team but that's still up in the air.